| Condition | What you need | Important |
|---|---|---|
| How many games | at least 5 against FIDE-rated opponents | games against unrated players do not count |
| Over what period | may be across several tournaments, within up to 26 months | not necessarily in one tournament |
| Lower limit | a rating of at least 1400 | if it comes out lower - no rating yet |
| Upper limit | a starting rating no higher than 2200 | above that you climb the normal way |
| Zero in your first tournament | is not counted | you can start badly and not lose your chance |
| Registration | through your national federation | a FIDE ID is created at your first rated tournament |
The starting rating is the opponents' average rating plus a bonus for the percentage you scored. So that the first five games do not give a random result, two imaginary opponents rated 1800 are added, against whom you "drew".
| Step | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Played | 5 games against opponents rated 1600, scored 3 points |
| Added | two imaginary opponents rated 1800, both games drawn |
| Total | 4 points out of 7 games - 57% |
| Average opponent rating | (5 × 1600 + 2 × 1800) / 7 ≈ 1657 |
| Bonus for 57% | +50 from the FIDE table |
| Starting rating | about 1707 |
The example is approximate: the exact bonus comes from the FIDE table, and your games may be against opponents of different ratings. How ratings work in general - the Elo rating explained.
After your first rating it changes after every tournament. How much is decided by the K-factor: the bigger it is, the faster the rating catches up with your real strength.
| K | Who |
|---|---|
| 40 | a new player on the rating list - until 30 games are played |
| 40 | a junior - until the end of the year they turn 18, while rated under 2300 |
| 20 | rated under 2400 |
| 10 | rated 2400 and above |
Rated tournaments are published by national and regional federations. What FIDE is - FIDE, how a national rating differs - for example, the Russian Chess Federation rating.
The FIDE rating list comes out on the 1st of every month. A tournament makes the list if it finished at least three days before the list date and the arbiter submitted the report on time. So between your last game and your rating appearing on the list there are usually a few days to just over a month.
If no rating appeared, most often you did not get five games against rated opponents, or the result came out below 1400. How the organiser submits the report - the arbiter's report after a tournament.
Vibe Chess tournaments are not FIDE-rated: the app has its own rating, which changes after every game. But they help you prepare - get used to the clock, the tournament atmosphere and opponents of different levels. And once you play rated tournaments, you can add your FIDE ID to your profile in the app: it goes into the TRF report if an organiser runs a rated tournament in Vibe Chess.
How to prepare for your first tournament - how to prepare for your first chess tournament.
At least five against FIDE-rated opponents. They can be spread across several tournaments within 26 months.
1400. If the calculation comes out lower, no rating is given. A starting rating cannot be higher than 2200.
Not for a first rating. You need games against FIDE-rated opponents.
Through your national federation: the ID is created at your first rated tournament, when the organiser submits the tournament for rating.
On the next rating list: it comes out on the 1st of every month, if the tournament finished at least three days before that date and the report was submitted on time.
No, Vibe Chess tournaments have their own rating. But they are good practice before rated tournaments.
The Vibe Chess app is built for an evening over the board, not for online play: it keeps the sign-up list, the pairings and the table while you deal with people and the venue. All of it free.
score groups, no rematches, no second bye
everyone plays everyone, the app works out the number of rounds
who is free and who is already at a board is shown under Now
The bot is constantly improved based on real tournaments. If you need a feature that isn't there yet, message the developers right inside the bot with the /support command. Many features appeared exactly because organizers asked for them, and useful ideas get added quickly.
For players: FIDE, FIDE titles and how to stay calm at a tournament.
At the board since childhood: hazy about his rating, precise about every rook he has blundered. Counts an evening as a good one if the opponent stayed to talk afterwards instead of rushing off to check with an engine. Message →
